Child Abuse Project Getting Positive Results

A PROJECT to help firefighters in East Yorkshire spot signs of child abuse could be rolled out nationally following its success.

The first safeguarding officer in the country was recruited 15 months ago by Humberside Fire and Rescue Service to train firefighters on child protection.

Since then, more than 40 “serious” cases of child abuse and hundreds of minor cases have been reported by crew members to the safeguarding team.

This information was then immediately passed on to the relevant agency.

Now, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is advertising for a safeguarding officer and other brigades, including London Fire Brigade, are considering doing the same.

Safeguarding officer Jenny Townsend and assistant safeguarding officer Sarah Wilkinson welcomed the news.

Ms Townsend said: “We are not asking firefighters to be social workers, that is not their primary role.

“However, they are in a unique position. Other organisations, such as social services, need to make appointments to enter people’s homes, so if someone is trying to hide abuse, people may not see it.

“Fire crews have unhindered, immediate access to people’s homes because, if your house is burning down, you are not going to stop them coming in.

“Other fire authorities have looked at our work and are becoming aware of where they fit in with child protection. That’s very positive for us.”

The role was brought in following the death of nine-year-old Aaron Smith.

Aaron died after suffering burns to 90 per cent of his body when his stepfather and serial arsonist David Wayne Burtonshaw set fire to his bedroom in Ruskin Street, west Hull, in 2005.

By the time of his death, Aaron had already passed through the hands of social workers, a health visitor, A&E nursing staff, a family doctor and a child psychologist.

While no agencies were found guilty of wrongdoing, a serious case review was held to find out how agencies in the area could improve.

The report, released in 2007, emphasised the need for a stronger multi-agency approach and one of the recommendations was for a child protection role within the fire service.

Other forces are keen to replicate its success.

Simon Brookes, education officer at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We want to be at the forefront rather than waiting for something to happen.

“We are taking Humberside’s lead and have used that as a model.

“They have actually gone out there and trained firefighters on the ground.

“As a result of what Humberside has done, we are able to start higher up rather than starting from the beginning again.”